Better than the Angels
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Introduction
When you think of Jesus, what comes to mind?
What do you picture Him as?
How we view Jesus will determine our worship of and obedience to Jesus.
The original recipients of the letter to the Hebrews may have looked at Jesus as angel, a created being that carried out missions for God. However, this is not the Jewish picture, nor is it the Christian picture, nor is it the Biblical picture of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Jesus is far more than an angel. He is far more than an errand boy for God. He is better than that of an angel. Truth be told, as we look at the Scripture, we find that Jesus held three distinct offices: prophet, priest, and king.
Jesus is better than the angels…
Because Jesus is the Son (vv.4-5)
1) As Son, His position is far greater
2) As Son, His title is far greater
a) We must understand that the name Jesus Christ is not just any name. Christ is not Jesus’ name, it’s His title. It’s who He is. It means Savior, Anointed One, Messiah. There is power in the name Jesus.
i) Why is this name so powerful? Because, within the name of Jesus, and His name alone, you find salvation!
12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.”
ii) It is at the name of Jesus that every knee will bow and tongue shall confess that He, Jesus Christ, is Lord!
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
iii) Truly Jesus’ name is the name above all names
May we understand the truth of the song written by the southern gospel group, “The Dunaways,” entitled, “When You Say Jesus”...When you say Jesus, you've said it all. In big situations or in things that seem small. Whatever your need is, there's just one Name to call, And when you say Jesus, you've said it all.
3) As Son, His relationship is far greater
a) Jesus has an exalted relationship with the father
i) The author of Hebrews quotes seven Old Testament passages in reference of Jesus being better than the angels to pin point the truth that the ultimate aim and goal of the Old Testament was to show Jesus. This is the first of seven of is within our text here.
7 “I will announce the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have fathered You.
ii) The second quote reminds us that Jesus was the exalted and promised Messiah; no angel would do. As God promised that David would be His child and he would discipline him (2 Sam. 7:14), and promised that Messiah would come from the lineage of David (Mic. 5:2), and as Paul scribed in the Book of Romans, “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh.” Jesus was the fulfillment of this promise. It would be no angel, but God Himself, giving of Himself, and coming in the flesh.
Not only do we see Jesus as better than the angels because His is the Son, but we also see that Jesus is better than the angels…
How often do you think of Jesus and what it means to speak His name? May we be reminded there is power in the name of Jesus.
How should knowing the power of Jesus name encourage us through our daily struggles?
Because Jesus has Superior Dignity (vv.6-7)
1) Jesus is superior in dignity because He is deity
a) May we understand that Jesus was God in the flesh…He is the first begotten because of His place in creation, but because of His position to the Father. Jesus was and is not a created being. He is God coming in the flesh to man.
i) Jesus was there...
(1) When the earth was void and without form
(2) When voice of God broke the silence and let there be light
(3) When the stars were placed in the sky and seas where told their boundaries
(4) When the plants were created, sea began to see life, and the land began to have life upon it
(5) When the first man was formed drew his first breath
(6) When the first woman was created out of the rib of man
(7) When the strong finger created wrote on the stone tablet
(8) When the Israelites were brought out of Egypt and the sea was parted
(9) When the Lions mouths were shut and the bear was killed
(10) When the angels were praising him as a baby in the manger…Jesus was there
2) Jesus is superior in dignity because He is worthy of worship
a) It is not the angels that are to be worshiped and praised, but God, and God alone
7 May all those be ashamed who serve carved images, Who boast in idols; Worship Him, all you gods.
b) Truly, the angels at His birth were worshiping Him (Lk 2:13-14)
3) Jesus is superior in dignity because angels are subservient to Him
May we know that Jesus is far better than the angels because He is the Son, and because He has Superior Dignity, but we must also know that Jesus is far better than the angels…
Because of Jesus’ position (vv.8-9)
As we look at the text before us about Jesus’ position as King of kings and Lord of lords, we see three truths that become very apparent…
1) Jesus is a ruler, the King of kings
2) Jesus has a throne without end
3) Jesus loves righteousness above all
a) There is no great joy outside of one accepting Jesus to the Father, as there is His children living in obedience to His Word, “there God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.”
In contrast to Jesus we find throughout the Scriptures that the angels are subordinate and created beings to the work of God in service to the saints of God. Going forward we see that Jesus is far better than the angels because He is the Son, He has superior dignity, His position, but He is far better…
Because Jesus is unchanging (vv.10-12)
1) Jesus is unchanging, but this world is not
a) Jesus’ word keeps this world steady and in the end that same word will be that which brings fiery judgment to this world
11 Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! 13 But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
2) Jesus is the solid rock and foundation
3) Jesus is worthy to be praised
We see that Jesus is far better than the angels because He is the Son, He has superior dignity, His position, He is unchanging, and He is far better than the angels…
Because Jesus has Authority (vv.13-14)
1) Jesus has a place of honor and authority next to the Father
Are we making Jesus the authority in our life?
a) Because of Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Jesus has been placed in a position of great honor and authority next to the Father’
2) Jesus will have complete victory
a) The quote that author of Hebrews is from the book of Psalms, Psalm 110:1, to be exact which states, “The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my [right hand,] until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”
b) Although we live in a day and time where it seems that we are on the losing side, I declare a statement worthy of all acceptation. Our side wins, not because of us, because of Jesus and what He did at Calvary.
3) Jesus rules, the angels serve
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.
Conclusion: